The Big Gigs for May 31-June 6

In April 2012, the month their debut album was released, the Lumineers played to a packed crowd at the tiny 7th Street Entry. By summer, the Denver ensemble was performing "Ho Hey" and their sing-along anthems at the Basilica Block Party. But are Wesley Schultz and his charming coed group ready for an arena? After all, this is basically acoustic music with a cello. Maybe those choruses of "Oh-ee-oohs" and "ho heys" will fill a basketball arena more effectively than the injury-riddled Timberwolves did. Opening are Cold War Kids, the indie rock favorites who added ex-Modest Mouse guitarist Dann Gallucci for their just-released fourth album, "Dear Miss Lonely Hearts," and rowdy Southern rockers J Roddy Walston and the Business. (7:3 p.m. Fri. Target Center, $30-$45.) Jon Bream

Another one-man act with a pseudonym that's now a band, Night Beds is getting airplay on 89.3 the Current with its wistful lament "Ramona." The single offers just a hint of the compelling drama and vocal power of the full album, "Country Sleep," on which Nashville-based mastermind Winston Yellin sounds like Rufus Wainwright or Jeff Buckley playing in an Americana band. Like fellow pseudonym user Bon Iver, he crafted the songs while holed up alone in a cabin, one that used to belong to Johnny Cash. Must be something in the water. Fellow indie-twang buzz act the Staves, a trio of sisters from England, open with Musikanto. (8 p.m. Fri., Varsity Theater, $12-$15.) Chris Riemenschneider

As if there already weren't enough odd dimensions to Primus, the warped '90s space-funkers have embarked on a groundbreaking 3-D tour. Fans will be given glasses upon arrival along with warnings of possible motion sickness from the hi-fi production, inspired by their hometown San Francisco visual pioneers at Lucasfilm. Presumably, attendees already know to also beware of bass solos. Les Claypool and the guys have been playing two sets on tour with songs from all eras. (8 p.m. Sat., Myth, $36.50.) Riemenschneider

Two titans of Twin Cities music — Doomtree and Morris Day & the Time — collide in one big outdoor Summer Party to raise money for the Minneapolis Institute of Arts. With Dessa on the road this summer, this is the last chance to catch Doomtree until August. And while this edition of the Time doesn't boast the "Original Seven" (who split again last year), Day and cohorts Monte Moir and Jellybean Johnson still bring the "Jungle Love." (8:30 p.m. Sat., MIA's Target Park, 2400 3rd Av. S., Mpls. $85 includes a free drink and finger food. tickets.artsmia.org) Tim Campbell

Perhaps better known now for their kids albums and TV themes ("The Daily Show," "Malcolm in the Middle"), They Might Be Giants are once again making "adult" records, loaded with the catchy, eclectic, semi-kitschy nerd-folk and gyspy-rock that once made them dorm-room favorites. Their latest, "Nanobots," was even produced by the same guy as their hit 1990 album "Flood" and is loaded with 25 songs total. Moon Hooch opens. (9 p.m. Sat., First Avenue, $23.) Riemenschneider

Grand Old Day is back, the only block party to extend for a full mile and be half-full of cover bands. The Dixie's on Grand Stage welcomes back Har Mar Superstar (4 p.m.), who channels classic soul with impressive aplomb on his new album "Bye Bye 17," plus road-tested psychedelic pop-twangers Night Moves and hip new Springsteen tribute act Tramps Like Us. The Wild Onion Stage is all country, including White Iron Band (noon) and Tim Sigler (2:30). KQRS' Pier 1 Stage welcomes dance-rockers Apollo Cobra (noon) and E.L.nO. (3:30). Other cover groups include '70s throwbacks Hookers & Blow (3:30, Billy's Stage) and the always fab Rubber Soul (1:30, Twin Cities Live Stage). (8 a.m.-6 p.m. Sun., Grand Avenue between Fairview and Dale, St. Paul, $8 and 21 & older for performance/beer areas.) Riemenschneider

Son Volt has gone country — straight-up, violin-laced, sawdust-floored country, befitting the title of its latest album, "Honky-Tonk." This should be no shock to fans of frontman Jay Farrar's old band, Uncle Tupelo, and it's an interesting side trip for his modern Son Volt lineup, which seems to be having fun here. They're playing plenty of the rocking favorites on tour, too. Opening band Colonel Ford is a weekend sort of trad-twang act featuring Farrar's brother Dade and other St. Louis-based cohorts. (8 p.m. Tue., First Avenue, $20.) Riemenschneider

Athens, Ga., rockers the Whigs have landed some big gigs in the Twin Cities, including a slot at last year's River's Edge Fest. But the grungy Southern rockers always show headliner-worthy intensity, and they have a deeper batch of songs to pull from after the release of their third album, "Enjoy the Company." Los Angeles guitar/drums female twosome Deap Vally and Bollywood open. (9 p.m. Tue., Turf Club, $12.) Riemenschneider

Famous Dave's isn't known for its tasty double bills, but here's a full evening of music worth digesting. Marshall Crenshaw may be best remembered for well-crafted pop, including his 1982 hit "Someday, Someway," but he's also an actor (he played John Lennon in "Beatlemania" and Buddy Holly in "La Bamba"), author (he wrote a guide to rock 'n' roll movies), radio host (on WFUV in New York City) and guitarist (he toured with the MC5). Joining Crenshaw will be the Bottle Rockets, St. Louis' beloved bar band that is going unplugged with its rich batch of rock 'n' roll. (7 p.m. Wed., Famous Dave's Uptown, $20-$30.) Bream

Whether you see Joan Baez as the first lady of folk, Bob Dylan's ex-girlfriend, a progressive activist, the clarion voice of "Diamonds and Rust" or that lady who lives in a treehouse (she really does), she's still worth seeing. Baez will open the 21st annual Music in the Zoo series. It seems fitting to have her open a series put together by Sue McLean, another singular woman who promoted concerts in Minnesota for decades and passed away this month. (7:30 p.m. Thu., Minnesota Zoo, $47 & $59.50.) Bream

An outstanding blues and soul band from Milwaukee, the Altered Five is touring behind a CD that's garnering national airplay. While the band's first release was filled with gritty makeovers of rock songs, "Gotta Earn It" is mostly original fare. Barrel-chested frontman Jeff Taylor, whose gruff baritone sounds like it was lifted off an old Stax 45, is certainly the focus of Altered Five. But it's the easygoing tightness of the four-piece unit behind him, together a full decade now, that's made the band a Wisconsin favorite. (9 p.m. Sat., Shaw's Bar & Grill, 1528 University Av. NE., Mpls., 612-781-4405. $5.) Tom Surowicz

Long one of New Orleans' premier party bands, and now making new converts via HBO's "Treme," the Rebirth Brass Band has been together a remarkable 30 years. Long before they were proud Grammy winners, Rebirth started out on the Crescent City's colorful streets, and there's still a strong street vibe to every gig. Expect some booty-shakin' because these guys always feel like funkin' it up. (7 & 9 p.m. Thu., Dakota Jazz Club, $20-$30.) Surowicz

Avant alto saxophonist Pat Moriarty makes a too-rare bar appearance — and an interesting one, too. There will be two sets featuring his Ornette Coleman repertory ensemble Round Trip, which includes Chris Thomson (tenor sax), Tom Lewis (acoustic bass) and Phil Hey (drums). In between, Moriarty will commune with Hey in an improv set — something the doggedly admirable duo has done off-and-on for 40 years. (9 p.m. Wed., Artists' Quarter, $5.) Surowicz

Cantus presents its annual pop showcase, "Covers: A Pop Concert." It features playful yet artistic arrangements of some favorite songs, from the Beatles' "Here Comes the Sun" to Sly & the Family Stone's "Hot Fun in the Summertime" to the Zombies' "Time of the Season." Cantus usually sings a cappella, but "Covers" features an outstanding band: Lee Blaske (keyboards), Cory Grossman (cello) and Dave Hagedorn (percussion). Tetsuya Takeno joins them on drums. Come say goodbye to Tim Takach, who is leaving after 17 years with the group he co-founded. (7:30 p.m. Fri., Sat. & Thu. plus June 7-8, Cowles Center, $25, 612-435-0055, www.cantussings.org) William Randall Beard